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Prime Minister Keir Starmer denies misleading claims over fiscal shortfall. Starmer defended Chancellor Reeves’ tax and spending decisions amid accusations of misleading public finances. He attributed revenue needs to OBR’s productivity downgrade and confirmed consideration of breaking manifesto tax commitments.
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The Government has revised the Employment Rights Bill following negotiations. The CIPD has welcomed the decision to set the unfair dismissal qualifying period at six months, describing it as a “workable approach” for employers — while warning that further clarity is needed on other aspects of the bill.
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S&A Academy urges leadership training enrolment before L7 funding disappears. The national training provider has called on company leaders and HR departments to register employees before government support worth £14,000 per person is withdrawn in 2026, warning the change could restrict access to senior management development across UK industries.
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Stability was the Chancellor’s watchword, but business heard strain instead. Advisers across law and accountancy say the Autumn Budget leans heavily on tax rises for owners, investors, and high earners, while offering only narrow windows and targeted reliefs for those prepared to plan ahead. Businesses face greater complexity and pressure.
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Government revises plan on unfair dismissal protection for new staff. The UK government has altered its proposal to provide unfair dismissal protection from day one for new employees, following resistance from the House of Lords and industry warnings. Protection will now apply after six months of employment.
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12.8mn Brits plan to buy smart tech on Black Friday. EE research shows one in three consumers struggle to keep devices connected, as the UK’s appetite for wireless gadgets grows faster than their ability to sync them.
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JP Morgan plans to build a major new tower in London. The project will inject £10bn into the local economy and create 7,800 jobs, establishing the bank’s largest European presence. It further supports 38,000 jobs and contributes £7.5bn to the economy.
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Waracle expands into Europe with HackSoft acquisition. The Scottish digital consultancy has acquired Sofia-based HackSoft, marking its first move beyond the UK and expanding its capabilities in software engineering, product development, and data services across multiple sectors.
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Eight out of ten UK SMEs predict higher holiday sales. New FedEx research shows strong international optimism, with 38% of festive sales expected from outside Europe. UK businesses say global e-commerce events are crucial to their performance this season.
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Rachel Reeves has delivered a tax-heavy Autumn Budget for business. Markets have taken the measures in their stride, but leaders now face a higher, more complex tax burden and big questions about investment, skills, and productivity that our BQX deep-dive will unpack in full, as they plan for 2026 ahead.